CHESTER D. IDE. – This prominent citizen and real-estate dealer of Spokane Falls, Washington, was born in Vermont in 1830. His first home in the far West was in Wisconsin, where he lived thirty years, and came to the Pacific slope in a wagon, following the line of construction of the Union Pacific, and being four and one-half months on the way. At Dayton, Washington Territory, he found work at his trade as carpenter and builder, and the next season took up a claim at Mondovi, then a wilderness, now a flourishing village. He remained four years on his farm, but, seeing the future of Spokane Falls, removed thither, interesting himself in its business and chiefly in its real estate.
A few years after his arrival, he built an elegant house on a commanding site, which, however, tempted the lightning, a stroke of which ignited and consumed it. Immediately rebuilding he has now a still finer residence, one of the best structures in the city, defended, we presume by a lightning rod. He has recently been engaged in the real-estate business on a large scale, having made two additions to the city; and latest of all he has, with Mr. Coffin, bought fifty acres within the city limits, which have now been on the market seven years. He has also been building stores for the use of those who enter into business there. The pressure for business accommodation has been so great as almost to leave many without a roof.
Not only in a private and business way has this gentleman been successful, but in the matter of public beneficence he has been at the front. He helped the Spokane College by the gift of fifteen acres of land, which soon realized eighteen hundred dollars, greatly assisting the institution. He has also devoted large sums to the Baptish church, which is now comfortably established in its fine edifice. Mr. Ide’s faith in Spokane Falls is justified by its past remarkable growth, and with men of his character for citizens, its future cannot but be bright.